rule


 

 

Canto 10

Mahâmantra 8

   

 

Chapter 56: How the Syamantaka jewel Brought Krishna Jâmbavatî and Satyabhâmâ

(1) S'rî S'uka said: 'Satrâjit ['always victorious', see 9.24: 13] having been offensive with Lord Krishna gave Him as atonement his daughter in marriage together with the jewel known as Syamantaka.'

(2) The honorable king said: 'What offense committed Satrâjit against Krishna, o brahmin, from where came Syamantaka and why gave he his daughter to the Lord?'

(3) S'rî S'uka said: 'The sungod who was Satrâjit's best friend gave, satisfied with him as his devotee, full of affection the jewel called Syamantaka. (4) He, wearing that jewel shining as brilliant as the sun around his neck was, when he arrived in Dvârakâ o King, because of the effulgence not recognized. (5) The people, by the glare robbed of their vision when they saw him from a distance, presumed that Sûrya had arrived and reported that to the Supreme Lord who was engaged in a game of dice: (6) 'O Nârâyana, with obeisances unto You, o Holder of Club, Cakra and Lotus, o Dâmodara, o Lotus-eyed One, o Govinda, o beloved of the Yadus! (7) Savitâ ['the radiant one'], who with the intense radiation of his radiating disc steals the vision of men, has come to see You, o Lord of the Universe. (8) It must be so that of the most exalted of the gods of wisdom seeking out Your path, the one not born [Sûrya], knowing that You now hide among the Yadus, has come to see You.'

(9) S'rî S'uka said: 'Hearing these innocent words said He with the Lotuslike Eyes smiling: 'That's not Ravideva, it's Satrâjit glowing because of his jewel.'

(10) He [Satrâjit] arriving at his opulent home executed with festivity auspicious rituals in the temple room where he with the help of the learned installed the jewel. (11) Day after day would it bring him eight bhâras [of about 9.7 kg] of gold, o prabhu, and none of the inauspicious of famines, premature deaths, catastrophes, snakebites, mental and physical disorders and cheaters would there in the presence of the gem properly being worshiped take place. (12) Some day asked S'auri [Krishna] on behalf of the king of the Yadus [Ugrasena] for the gem, but, he, greedy for the wealth, saw no offense in it not to hand it over. (13) One day, hanging the intensely radiating jewel around his neck, mounted Prasena [Satrâjit's brother] a horse and went he hunting in the forest. (14) Prasena along with his horse were killed and dragged away by a lion who on his turn entering a cave was killed by Jâmbavân ['he from the Jambu-trees'] who wanted the jewel. (15) He then in the cave handed the jewel over to his kid as a toy to play with. Meanwhile not seeing his brother, got Satrâjit deeply troubled: (16) 'My brother gone to the forest wearing the jewel around his neck is probably killed by Krishna', and what he thus said was what the people heard whispering in one another's ears. (17) When the Supreme Lord came to hear of it followed He, in order to clear Himself of the gossip of His infamy, together with the citizens the path taken by Prasena. (18) Seeing that he and his horse were killed by a lion in that forest, discovered they that the lion had been killed too on a mountain slope by Riksha [Jâmbhavân]. (19) Stationing the people outside of the terrifying cave of the king of the rikshas [the bears] entered the Supreme Lord alone the pitch-dark place. (20) When He saw that that most precious of jewels was used as a child's plaything, decided He to take it away and approached He the child. (21) Seeing the stranger cried the nurse in fear so that Jâmbavân, that best one of the strong, when he heard that in anger ran forward. (22) He keeping Him for a worldly person, fought then, unaware of who he dealt with, against Him, the Supreme Lord, his own Master [compare 5.6: 10-11 and B.G. 16: 18]. (23) A very furious fight ensued between the two who each tried to win with the help of stones, trees, their arms and with weapons as if they were two hawks fighting over some meat. (24) Day and night continued without interruption for twenty-eight days the fight of fists against fists with blows hard as lightening. (25) With the muscles of his huge body pummeled by the blows of Krishna's fists, perspired he, diminished in strength, all over and addressed he Him in great amazement: (26) 'I know You, You are the life air, the physical and mental strength of all living beings, Lord Vishnu, the Primeval Personality, the All-powerful Supreme Controller. (27) You indeed are the Creator who of All Creators and the Created of the Universe art the Essence, who of the subduers art the Subduer, the Lord, the Soul Supreme to all the Souls [compare 3.25: 41-42]. (28) You are the One of whose little evidence of anger with Your glances the ocean and the crocodiles and whale-eating whales [timingilas] agitated gave way for building a bridge; You are the one famous for setting Lankâ afire; by Your hand fell the heads of the Râkshasa to the ground that You cut off with Your arrows [see 9: 10].'

(29-30) O King, Acyuta, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, the son of Devakî, then from His great compassion for His devotees addressed the king of the bears who had understood the truth. Touching him with the hand that bestows all blessings said He with with a voice as deep as the [rumbling] clouds: (31) 'O lord of the bears, We came here to the cave because of the jewel, in order to dispel the false accusation that with this jewel was held against Me.' (32) Thus addressed presented he along with the jewel happily as a respectful offering his maiden daughter named Jâmbavatî to Krishna.

(33) Not seeing S'auri who had entered the cave coming out, went the people after waiting for twelve days unhappy back to their city. (34) Devakî, Rukminî devî, Vasudeva and all His friends and relatives lamented over Krishna not coming out of the cave. (35) They, the residents of Dvârakâ sorrowfully cursed Satrâjit and then worshiped Durgâ, the fortune of the moon [the deity called Candrabhâgâ] in order to retrieve Krishna. (36) After the worship of the goddess granted she responding to them the benediction. Directy thereafter appeared to their great jubilation the Lord who had achieved His purpose on the scene together with His [new] wife. (37) Greatly aroused on finding out that Hrishîkes'a had come with a wife and the jewel around His neck, they all rejoiced as if someone had risen from death. (38) Satrâjit, summoned by the Supreme Lord to the royal assembly, was in the presence of the king informed of the recovery of the jewel which then was presented to him. (39) And he took extremely ashamed, head down, the gem and went home leaving full of remorse about his sinful behavior. (40-42) Pondering over that evident offense thought he, apprehensive about a conflict with the ones in power: 'How will I cleanse myself of the contamination and how can I satisfy Acyuta? What good should I do so that the people won't curse me for being narrow-minded, petty, befooled and avaricious after the wealth? I'll give the [Syamantaka-]jewel to Him as well as my daughter, that jewel among women; that's the way to make it up with Him and nothing else!'

(43) Thus intelligently deciding set Satrâjit himself to it and presented he his fair daughter and the jewel to Krishna. (44) She, Satyabhâmâ, sought by many men for being endowed with the qualities of a fine character, beauty and magnanimity, married the Lord according the customs. (45) The Supreme Lord said: 'We do not desire back the jewel o King, let it remain with you being of devotion with the godhead [Sûrya] so that We may also be the enjoyers of its fruits.'

 

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 Second edition, loaded September 17, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Source Texts:

The Syamantaka jewel

 

Text 1

S'rî S'uka said: 'Satrâjit ['always victorious', see 9.24: 13] having been offensive with Lord Krishna gave Him as atonement his daughter in marriage together with the jewel known as Syamantaka.'

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Having offended Lord Krishna, Satrâjit tried as best he could to atone by presenting Him with his daughter and the Syamantaka jewel. (Vedabase)

 

Text 2

The honorable king said: 'What offense committed Satrâjit against Krishna o brahmin, from where came Syamantaka and why gave he his daughter to the Lord?'

Mahârâja Parîkshit inquired: O brâhmana, what did King Satrâjit do to offend Lord Krishna? Where did he get the Syamantaka jewel, and why did he give his daughter to the Supreme Lord? (Vedabase)

 

Text 3

S'rî S'uka said: 'The sungod who was Satrâjit's best friend gave, satisfied with him as his devotee, full of affection the jewel called Syamantaka.

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî said: Sûrya, the sun-god, felt great affection for his devotee Satrâjit. Acting as his greatest friend, the demigod gave him the jewel called Syamantaka as a token of his satisfaction. (Vedabase)

 

Text 4

He, wearing that jewel shining as brilliant as the sun around his neck was, when he arrived in Dvârakâ o King, because of the effulgence not recognized.

Wearing the jewel on his neck, Satrâjit entered Dvârakâ. He shone as brightly as the sun itself, O King, and thus he went unrecognized because of the jewel's effulgence. (Vedabase)

 

Text 5

The people, by the glare robbed of their vision when they saw him from a distance, presumed that Sûrya had arrived and reported that to the Supreme Lord who was engaged in a game of dice:

As the people looked at Satrâjit from a distance, his brilliance blinded them. They presumed he was the sun-god, Sûrya, and went to tell Lord Krishna, who was at that time playing at dice. (Vedabase)

 

Text 6

'O Nârâyana, with obeisances unto You, o Holder of Club, Cakra and Lotus, o Dâmodara, o Lotus-eyed One, o Govinda, o beloved of the Yadus!

[The residents of Dvârakâ said:] Obeisances unto You, O Nârâyana, O holder of the conch, disc and club, O lotus-eyed Dâmodara, O Govinda, O cherished descendant of Yadu! (Vedabase)

 

Text 7

Savitâ ['the radiant one'], who with the intense radiation of his radiating disc steals the vision of men, has come to see You, o Lord of the Universe.

Lord Savitâ has come to see You, O Lord of the universe. He is blinding everyone's eyes with his intensely effulgent rays. (Vedabase)

 

Text 8

It must be so that of the most exalted of the gods of wisdom seeking out Your path, the one not born [Sûrya], knowing that You now hide among the Yadus, has come to see You.'

The most exalted demigods in the three worlds are certainly anxious to seek You out, O Lord, now that You have hidden Yourself among the Yadu dynasty. Thus the unborn sun-god has come to see You here. (Vedabase)

 

Text 9

S'rî S'uka said: 'Hearing these innocent words said He with the Lotuslike Eyes smiling: 'That's not Ravideva, it's Satrâjit glowing because of his jewel.'

S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued: Hearing these innocent words, the lotus-eyed Lord smiled broadly and said, "This is not the sun-god, Ravi, but rather Satrâjit, who is glowing because of his jewel." (Vedabase)

 

Text 10

He [Satrâjit] arriving at his opulent home executed with festivity auspicious rituals in the temple room where he with the help of the learned installed the jewel.

King Satrâjit entered his opulent home, festively executing auspicious rituals. He had qualified brâhmanas install the Syamantaka jewel in the house's temple room. (Vedabase)

 

Text 11

Day after day would it bring him eight bhâras [of about 9.7 kg] of gold, o prabhu, and none of the inauspicious of famines, premature deaths, catastrophes, snakebites, mental and physical disorders and cheaters would there in the presence of the gem properly being worshiped take place.

Each day the gem would produce eight bhâras of gold, my dear Prabhu, and the place in which it was kept and properly worshiped would be free of calamities such as famine or untimely death, and also of evils like snake bites, mental and physical disorders and the presence of deceitful persons. (Vedabase)

 

Text 12

Some day asked S'auri [Krishna] on behalf of the king of the Yadus [Ugrasena] for the gem, but, he, greedy for the wealth, saw no offense in it not to hand it over.

On one occasion Lord Krishna requested Satrâjit to give the jewel to the Yadu king, Ugrasena, but Satrâjit was so greedy that he refused. He gave no thought to the seriousness of the offense he committed by denying the Lord's request. (Vedabase)

 

Text 13

One day, hanging the intensely radiating jewel around his neck, mounted Prasena [Satrâjit's brother] a horse and went he hunting in the forest.

Once Satrâjit's brother, Prasena, having hung the brilliant jewel about his neck, mounted a horse and went hunting in the forest. (Vedabase)

  

Text 14

Prasena along with his horse were killed and dragged away by a lion who on his turn entering a cave was killed by Jâmbavân ['he from the Jambu-trees'] who wanted the jewel.

A lion killed Prasena and his horse and took the jewel. But when the lion entered a mountain cave he was killed by Jâmbavân, who wanted the jewel. (Vedabase)

 

Text 15

He then in the cave handed the jewel over to his kid as a toy to play with. Meanwhile not seeing his brother, got Satrâjit deeply troubled:

Within the cave Jâmbavân let his young son have the Syamantaka jewel as a toy to play with. Meanwhile Satrâjit, not seeing his brother return, became deeply troubled. (Vedabase)

 

Text 16

'My brother gone to the forest wearing the jewel around his neck is probably killed by Krishna', and what he thus said was what the people heard whispering in one another's ears.

He said, "Krishna probably killed my brother, who went to the forest wearing the jewel on his neck." The general populace heard this accusation and began whispering it in one another's ears. (Vedabase)

  

Text 17

When the Supreme Lord came to hear of it followed He, in order to clear Himself of the gossip of His infamy, together with the citizens the path taken by Prasena.

When Lord Krishna heard this rumor, He wanted to remove the stain on His reputation. So He took some of Dvârakâ's citizens with Him and set out to retrace Prasena's path. (Vedabase)

   

Text 18

Seeing that he and his horse were killed by a lion in that forest, discovered they that the lion had been killed too on a mountain slope by Riksha [Jâmbhavân].

In the forest they found Prasena and his horse, both killed by the lion. Further on they found the lion dead on a mountainside, slain by Riksha [Jâmbavân]. (Vedabase)

 

Text 19

Stationing the people outside of the terrifying cave of the king of the rikshas [the bears] entered the Supreme Lord alone the pitch-dark place.

The Lord stationed His subjects outside the terrifying, pitch-dark cave of the king of the bears, and then He entered alone. (Vedabase)

 

Text 20

When He saw that that most precious of jewels was used as a child's plaything, decided He to take it away and approached He the child.

There Lord Krishna saw that the most precious of jewels had been made into a child's plaything. Determined to take it away, He approached the child. (Vedabase)

 

Text 21

Seeing the stranger cried the nurse in fear so that Jâmbavân, that best one of the strong, when he heard that in anger ran forward.

The child's nurse cried out in fear upon seeing that extraordinary person standing before them. Jâmbavân, strongest of the strong, heard her cries and angrily ran toward the Lord. (Vedabase)

  

Text 22

He keeping Him for a worldly person, fought then, unaware of who he dealt with, against Him, the Supreme Lord, his own Master [compare 5.6: 10-11 and B.G. 16: 18].

Unaware of His true position and thinking Him an ordinary man, Jâmbavân angrily began fighting with the Supreme Lord, his master. (Vedabase)

  

Text 23

A very furious fight ensued between the two who each tried to win with the help of stones, trees, their arms and with weapons as if they were two hawks fighting over some meat.

The two fought furiously in single combat, each determined to win. Contending against each other with various weapons and then with stones, tree trunks and finally their bare arms, they struggled like two hawks battling over a piece of flesh. (Vedabase)

  

Text 24

Day and night continued without interruption for twenty-eight days the fight of fists against fists with blows hard as lightening.

The fight went on without rest for twenty-eight days, the two opponents striking each other with their fists, which fell like the cracking blows of lightning. (Vedabase)

 

Text 25

With the muscles of his huge body pummeled by the blows of Krishna's fists, perspired he, diminished in strength, all over and addressed he Him in great amazement:

His bulging muscles pummeled by the blows of Lord Krishna's fists, his strength faltering and his limbs perspiring, Jâmbavân, greatly astonished, finally spoke to the Lord. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 26

'I know You, You are the life air, the physical and mental strength of all living beings, Lord Vishnu, the Primeval Personality, the All-powerful Supreme Controller.

[Jâmbavân said:] I know now that You are the life air and the sensory, mental and bodily strength of all living beings. You are Lord Vishnu, the original person, the supreme, all-powerful controller. (Vedabase)

 

Text 27

You indeed are the Creator who of All Creators and the Created of the Universe art the Essence, who of the subduers art the Subduer, the Lord, the Soul Supreme to all the Souls [compare 3.25: 41-42].

You are the ultimate creator of all creators of the universe, and of everything created You are the underlying substance. You are the subduer of all subduers, the Supreme Lord and Supreme Soul of all souls. (Vedabase)

 

Text 28

You are the One of whose little evidence of anger with Your glances the ocean and the crocodiles and whale-eating whales [timingilas] agitated gave way for building a bridge; You are the one famous for setting Lankâ afire; by Your hand fell the heads of the Râkshasa to the ground that You cut off with Your arrows [see 9: 10].'

You are He who impelled the ocean to give way when His sidelong glances, slightly manifesting His anger, disturbed the crocodiles and timingila fish within the watery depths. You are He who built a great bridge to establish His fame, who burned down the city of Lankâ, and whose arrows severed the heads of Râvana, which then fell to the ground. (Vedabase)

 

Text 29-30

O King, Acyuta, the lotus-eyed Supreme Lord, the son of Devakî, then from His great compassion for His devotees addressed the king of the bears who had understood the truth. Touching him with the hand that bestows all blessings said He with with a voice as deep as the [rumbling] clouds:

[S'ukadeva Gosvâmî continued:] O King, Lord Krishna then addressed the king of the bears, who had understood the truth. The lotus-eyed Personality of Godhead, the son of Devakî, touched Jâmbavân with His hand, which bestows all blessings, and spoke to His devotee with sublime compassion, His grave voice deeply resounding like a cloud. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 31

'O lord of the bears, We came here to the cave because of the jewel, in order to dispel the false accusation that with this jewel was held against Me.'

[Lord Krishna said:] It is for this jewel, O lord of the bears, that we have come to your cave. I intend to use the jewel to disprove the false accusations against Me. (Vedabase)

 

 Text 32

Thus addressed presented he along with the jewel happily as a respectful offering his maiden daughter named Jâmbavatî to Krishna.

Thus addressed, Jâmbavân happily honored Lord Krishna by offering Him his maiden daughter, Jâmbavatî, together with the jewel. (Vedabase)

 

Text 33

Not seeing S'auri who had entered the cave coming out, went the people after waiting for twelve days unhappy back to their city.

After Lord S'auri had entered the cave, the people of Dvârakâ who had accompanied Him had waited twelve days without seeing Him come out again. Finally they had given up and returned to their city in great sorrow. (Vedabase)

 

Text 34

Devakî, Rukminî devî, Vasudeva and all His friends and relatives lamented over Krishna not coming out of the cave.

When Devakî, Rukminî-devî, Vasudeva and the Lord's other relatives and friends heard that He had not come out of the cave, they all lamented. (Vedabase)

 

Text 35

They, the residents of Dvârakâ sorrowfully cursed Satrâjit and then worshiped Durgâ, the fortune of the moon [the deity called Candrabhâgâ] in order to retrieve Krishna.

Cursing Satrâjit, the sorrowful residents of Dvârakâ approached the Durgâ deity named Candrabhâgâ and prayed to her for Krishna's return. (Vedabase)

   

Text 36

After the worship of the goddess granted she responding to them the benediction. Directy thereafter appeared to their great jubilation the Lord who had achieved His purpose on the scene together with His [new] wife.

When the citizens had finished worshiping the demigoddess, she spoke to them in response, promising to grant their request. Just then Lord Krishna, who had achieved His purpose, appeared before them in the company of His new wife, filling them with joy. (Vedabase)

 

Text 37

Greatly aroused on finding out that Hrishîkes'a had come with a wife and the jewel around His neck, they all rejoiced as if someone had risen from death.

Seeing Lord Hrishîkes'a return as if from death, accompanied by His new wife and wearing the Syamantaka jewel on His neck, all the people were roused to jubilation. (Vedabase)

 

Text 38

Satrâjit, summoned by the Supreme Lord to the royal assembly, was in the presence of the king informed of the recovery of the jewel which then was presented to him.

Lord Krishna summoned Satrâjit to the royal assembly. There, in the presence of King Ugrasena, Krishna announced the recovery of the jewel and then formally presented it to Satrâjit. (Vedabase)

 

Text 39

And he took extremely ashamed, head down, the gem and went home leaving full of remorse about his sinful behavior.

Hanging his head in great shame, Satrâjit took the gem and returned home, all the while feeling remorse for his sinful behavior. (Vedabase)

 

Text 40-42

Pondering over that evident offense thought he, apprehensive about a conflict with the ones in power: 'How will I cleanse myself of the contamination and how can I satisfy Acyuta? What good should I do so that the people won't curse me for being narrow-minded, petty, befooled and avaricious after the wealth? I'll give the [Syamantaka-]jewel to Him as well as my daughter, that jewel among women; that's the way to make it up with Him and nothing else!

Pondering over his grievous offense and worried about the possibility of conflict with the Lord's mighty devotees, King Satrâjit thought, "How can I cleanse myself of my contamination, and how may Lord Acyuta become satisfied with me? What can I do to regain my good fortune and avoid being cursed by the populace for being so short-sighted, miserly, foolish and avaricious? I shall give my daughter, the jewel of all women, to the Lord, together with the Syamantaka jewel. That, indeed, is the only proper way to pacify Him." (Vedabase)

 

Text 43

Thus intelligently deciding set Satrâjit himself to it and presented he his fair daughter and the jewel to Krishna.

Having thus intelligently made up his mind, King Satrâjit personally arranged to present Lord Krishna with his fair daughter and the Syamantaka jewel. (Vedabase)

 

Text 44

She, Satyabhâmâ, sought by many men for being endowed with the qualities of a fine character, beauty and magnanimity, married the Lord according the customs.

The Lord married Satyabhâmâ in proper religious fashion. Possessed of excellent behavior, along with beauty, broad-mindedness and all other good qualities, she had been sought by many men. (Vedabase)

 

Text 45

The Supreme Lord said: 'We do not desire back the jewel o King, let it remain with you being of devotion with the godhead [Sûrya] so that We may also be the enjoyers of its fruits.'

The Supreme Personality of Godhead told Satrâjit: We do not care to take this jewel back, O King. You are the sun-god's devotee, so let it stay in your possession. Thus We will also enjoy its benefits. (Vedabase)

 

 

 

 

 

For this original translation was used the Vedabase of the BBT offering the work
that Svâmi Prabhupâda's pupils did to complete his translation of the Bhâgavatam.
See the
S'rîmad Bhâgavatam links-page
for this and more books of Prabhupâda.
The painting on this page is by
Râmanatha dâsa.
Production:
Filognostic Association of The Order of Time

 

 

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